The Bloch invariant as a characteristic class in \(B\text{(SL}_ 2 (\mathbb C),\mathfrak T)\) (Q1770314)

Given an orientable complete hyperbolic 3-manifold \(M\) of finite volume, a canonical class \(\alpha(M)\) in \(H_3(B({\text \mathbf{SL}}_2(\mathbb C),{\mathcal T}))\) with \(B({\text \mathbf{SL}}_2(\mathbb C),{\mathcal T})\) the \({\text \mathbf{SL}}_2(t\mathbb C)\)-orbit space of the classifying space of a certain family of isotropy subgroups is constructed. It is proven in the article that \(\alpha(M)\) coincides with the Bloch invariant \(\beta(M)\) of \(M\) defined by Neumann and Yang. Thereby a simpler proof has been obtained that the Bloch invariant is independent of an ideal triangulation of \(M\). Also a new proof has been found of the fact that the Bloch invariant lies in the Bloch group \(B(\mathbb C)\).